Rockville Centre pays tribute to those who gave all

It was sunny and steamy on Monday morning as several generations of Rockville Centre residents paused to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who put their lives at risk every day to defend America's liberty. Also remembered during the hour-long Memorial Day commemoration at Veterans' Memorial Park were the sacrifices of veterans who are still living and the families of those serving in the armed forces who continue to bear a heavy burden.

There were both a notable absence and a new presence at the annual tribute. Members of the Rockville Centre Police Benevolent Association marched in their own hometown parades in protest of the village's latest offer in ongoing contract negotiations. The department was represented by Police Commissioner Charles Gennario and Inspector Glenn Quinn, in addition to the officers on duty. Also prominent in the parade were members of the Rockville Centre Tea Party, who waved yellow flags that read "Don't tread on me." They joined parade Grand Marshal Paul Schlegelmilch, a World War II veteran; Lt. Col. Paul Casazza, who served as officer of the day; members of American Legion Post 303; the Ladies Auxiliary; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Disabled American Veterans Chapter 145 and the Choisin Few as they led the march.

"We are here today to honor our history and our national values, and to pay solemn tribute to the men and women who died, and are dying today in the service of our country," said Mayor Mary Bossart. "On Memorial Day we stop and with sincere conviction, pay our respects to those American patriots ... who died protecting and preserving the freedoms we enjoy. We owe these honored dead more than we can ever repay.

"We should remember them every day, and on Memorial Day we honor them with special gratitude," Bossart said. "Today, as we remember the sacrifices of the dead, I ask us also to remember the sacrifices of veterans who are still living. The members of our armed forces were summoned to make sacrifices for our country. Some ... have returned home with severely debilitating injuries. We have sent our young men and women overseas to fight for us. When they have fulfilled their duty and come back to us, we have a duty to them."